Accident Overview
An on-demand air taxi flight operating two legs crashed into terrain while maneuvering after encountering weather. The aircraft was traveling eastbound over an interstate through a mountain pass when it collided with trees and steeply rising terrain on the south side of the interstate, approximately 150 feet above the roadway.
Preflight Weather Briefings
Before the first leg, the pilot checked weather with the Flight Service Station (FSS) for the entire route. The specialist reported mountain obscuration, reduced visibility, rain, and fog/overcast, with the worst conditions on the second leg through the mountain pass where fog/overcast was reported as indefinite at 100 feet. After departure, the pilot requested an updated briefing, which was similar. The first leg landed without incident.
While on the ground before the second leg, the pilot again contacted the FSS. The specialist advised that VFR flight was not recommended and noted AIRMETs for mountainous terrain obscured and occasional IFR conditions. An Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at the mountain pass reported IFR with visibility 1/4 mile in fog, ceiling broken at 100 feet, and overcast at 600 feet. The destination airport reported moderate to heavy showers moving in. The specialist recommended waiting due to an improving forecast.
Witness Observation
A witness traveling westbound on the interstate reported seeing an aircraft traveling eastbound directly over the highway at an altitude just below a solid cloud layer estimated at 500 feet AGL. From about one mile east to one mile west of the top of the pass, clouds were directly on the road. As she descended into the valley, cloud bases were no higher than about 500 feet AGL.
Accident Site Investigation
On-site investigation revealed the aircraft struck several trees and then the steeply rising terrain in an easterly direction. At the approximate accident time, the ASOS located about 3 miles east of the site reported an indefinite ceiling at 100 feet and visibility of zero.